This is part four of a four part series.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR — Some of the graduates of Scipio A. Jones High School are the following:
- Songwriter, producer, and former President of Stax Record Company, Alvertis Isbell (Al Bell). Isbell is also President of Bellmark Record Company.
- World-renowned jazz composer, arranger and saxophonist Pharoah Sanders (Ferrell Sanders). Sanders arranged, recorded and performed with the legendary John Coltrane. Sanders now resides in Los Angeles.
- Former North Little Rock School District Administrator/Educator and now School District Board Member, Dorothy J. Stephenson Williams. Whether it is for her church, sorority, or community group, Williams works tirelessly to make a positive difference.
- A longtime professor of music at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (formerly AM&N), Milton Jackson is a graduate of Jones. After serving in the U. S. Navy, Jackson was a member of The Lyrics, a well-known local rhythm-and-blues jazz band of the late sixties and seventies. With The Lyrics, he appeared often on locally-produced television shows, including “Minor Key,” a show hosted by the late Art Porter, Sr. Jackson is now one of the most sought-after jazz guitarists in the region.
- Former State of Arkansas Assistant Attorney General and now private law practitioner and administrator of the historic Haven of Rest Cemetery, Attorney B. J. McCoy. McCoy is a noted community activist.
- Employed for 35 years at the North Little Rock City Hall is another Jones’ graduate: Charlotte Holloway Thomas is an Administrative Assistant in the mayor’s office. Thomas is an advocate for individuals and organizations within the city.
- Graduating in the class of 1964 is retired communications corporate executive, extraordinary percussionist, and Presiding Elder (East District) of the CME Church-Arkansas region, Larry W. Ross. He serves on the Boards of several corporations, including a local financial institution. Ross was recognized nationally as a premier percussionist, and in the seventies he was an important element of The Art Porter Trio. Before Porter, Ross was on the beat, providing rhythm with Henry Shead.
- Another 1964 graduate, Linda Joyce Handy Lee (October 9, 1946 – January 18, 2011) retired after many years as a Circuit Court Coordinator in the First Division of the Sixth Judicial District of Pulaski County.
- Also graduating in 1964, retired State Juvenile Detention professional, accomplished percussionist, C.M.E. Pastor, Rev. Charles E. Holloway, Sr. Holloway was the band leader of a popular local group, The Lyrics, of the late sixties and seventies. The Lyrics was one of the last highly respected bands to perform on the historical West Ninth Street in Little Rock. The Lyrics performed at most of the colleges and universities in the state, including Shorter College, Philander Smith College and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Later, Holloway was a member of the local recording group, The Gospel Lyrics.
- Tuskegee University Dean and Research Director, Walter A. Hill, PhD. He is a respected researcher, inspired by both George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington. Hill graduated from Jones in 1964, and was a noted academic in high school.
Although all of the staff and students realized the injustices of the time, all cherished what they had. All marveled at the success of the school and the students. And yes, all realized that from the darkness of night, the light of a new day was about to spring forth.
The legacy of Scipio Africanus Jones continues through the lives of the many former students and their descendants. It is a legacy of hope, compassion, and justice. In an historic building located at 14th and Pine Streets in North Little Rock, Jones High paraphernalia and artifacts are housed for review. This facility is maintained by Jones’ graduate Ms. Artis Boykin, Director. The last verse of the school’s alma mater reads: “Whereever we may go—what ever we may do—we’ll be forever true to you—Dear Ole Jones.” The school closed at the end of the 1970 school year as a result of public school consolidation.
